National Governors Association (NGA). While governor, Dick Thornburgh participated in the National Governors Association, an organization in which governors participated in discussion of issues of common concern at both state and federal levels. Dick Thornburgh writes that his principal focus in the NGA was the federal deficit, although he actively dealt with issues of transportation, technology, and educational standards, among others. About his interest in federal budgets, however, he writes, "I became convinced that a balanced-budget amendment to the United States Constitution was the only answer to the federal deficit," (
Evidence, p.175) and he continued to lobby in NGA meetings until the NGA finally called for a federal balanced-budget amendment in 1985.

Dick Thornburgh viewed his participation at NGA as an important chance to also network with many in the federal government which provided practical benefits to the problems in Pennsylvania. The relationships he developed "helped ensure that when Pennsylvania's issues warranted federal consideration, they received it" (
Evidence, 176). This, he points out, was particularly helpful in 1981-1983, during the major recession during which Pennsylvania needed and received federal aid.

The NGA met twice a year, regularly, at a winter meeting and a summer meeting. The winter meeting was held in Washington D.C., every year that Thornburgh was governor. The summer meetings, held either in July or August, were held at varying locations around the country, such as Idaho, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Maine, among others. In addition to these biannual meetings, Thornburgh attended Executive Committee meetings periodically, as well as other committee meetings that were held more sporadically.

The files are grouped by meeting to which they pertain, chronologically ordered, 1979-1986. The familiar contents for each meeting consist of both briefing binders and meeting files, though other items from the meetings are also included. The term "binder" has been preserved, as a guide to the original order of these materials, although literally they have been removed for preservation purposes. In many cases, multiple folders are required for a single "binder."

Republican Governors Association (RGA). During Thornburgh's terms as governor he was active in the Republican Governors Association. In his recent autobiography, Thornburgh calls his membership in this important, for it "gave me an opportunity to work on broader issues and to enter some important national networks" (
Evidence, p.175). The RGA was, for Thornburgh, particularly significant during his period as chairman of the Association, to which he was elected in December, 1984, and his subsequent period as campaign chairman in 1986. The organization, at the time Thornburgh was elected chairman, was in his words, "somewhat moribund and its treasury bare" (
Evidence, p.176). That soon changed, however, with Thornburgh's hiring of a new executive director and the instigation of an annual dinner. The first of these was attended by the President and RGA raised nearly a million dollars, which allowed it to invest both in candidates and other growth opportunities.

These files contain meeting files with briefing binders, in which the material pertains specifically to RGA meetings, in chronological order. There also is gubernatorial candidates information (filed alphabetically by state, annual briefing binders (arranged chronologically), and background files (arranged chronologically), which include correspondence and contributions information, as well as research on the status of gubernatorial races.

Coalition of Northeastern Governors (CONEG). The Coalition of Northeastern Governors was created in 1976 and today is a non-partisan association of governors of the eight northeastern states-Connecticut, Maine, New Jersey, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Thornburgh belonged and served as chairman for a period of time during his terms as governor of Pennsylvania although Pennsylvania is not today a part of this group as it was during Thornburgh's terms, 1979-1987. At that time it played an important role in the ability of Pennsylvania to network with states that shared similar interests and concerns. CONEG met once or twice a year to discuss matters of common concern and also to join forces in presenting their agendas at a political level (Republican Governors' Association) or national level (National Governors' Association). The topics that the group discussed were varied and included, for example: social, political, environmental, and economic issues, ranging from acid rain to public transportation and welfare.

These files are separated into two chronological groups: meeting files and briefing materials. The meeting files contain both briefing materials and/or notes and memorabilia regarding a specific meeting, with both pre- and during-meeting items. Briefing files contain only "briefing binders," material that was presented to Thornburgh before he attended the CONEG meetings.

Section: NGA

Folder

2

1979 meeting files, annotated material, and ephemera 1979

Folder

3-4

NGA Winter Meeting, Washington, DC February 25-27, 1979

Folder

5

Committee on National Resources and Environmental Management, Washington, DC February 26, 1979

"December of Decision: A Look Ahead at Pressures and Issues in Federal-State Relations," submitted to the Executive Committee Meeting by Governor George Busbee of Georgia, Park City, UT November 12, 1982

Folder

13-14

NGA Winter Meeting, Washington, DC February 27-March 1, 1983

Box 424

Folder

1-2

National Task Force on Education for Economic Growth, Washington, DC February 26, 1983